Storage-battery-separator construction.



J. N. DAVIS.

STORAGE BATTERY SEPARATOR CONSTRUCTION.

APPLlGATION FILED P131516, 1814.

1,128,232, Patented Feb. 9, 1915 JASPER N. DAVIS, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

STORAGE-BATTERY-SEPARATOR CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Application filed February 16, 1914. Serial No. 819,004.

To all whom it m 11; :wncrrn Be it known that I, JAsPnr. N; DAVIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and Stateof Colorado, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Storage-Battery- Separator Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in storage battery separator construction.

The object of the invention is to provide a combined-separator and envelop of non-conducting, absorbent material adapted to separate and inclose the battery plates, and is so constructed that ample space is provided for the free-circulation of the acid between the said plates, the combination separator and envelop being sealed at the open end, thereby inclosing the plates. and preventing any loss of active material from the positive plates.

A further object is to provide an envelop as heretofore explained and described hereinafter that will entirely eliminate all short circuits and-the necessity of frequent cleaning, thus not only saving the unnecessary expense occasioned thereby,-but contributing greatly to the life of the battery.

Having briefly outlined my'improved constrnction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the ac companying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

n this drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved combinationseparator and envelop for storage battery plates, showing a sealing cap therefor, removed 'and positioned above the envelop, the cap being necessary only for the envelops surrounding the positive plates. Fig. 2'is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view, showing the upper portion of the envelop and cap thereon,together with the plate. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectionalwiew of the szime on the line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. his a. plan view of a plurality of combined envclops and separators, showing their arrangement when placed in a battery.- cell, the separator spacingv projections on the end negative plate envelops beingv omitted. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the-cap for the combined envelop and separator of the POL ;ive plates. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view, taken on the line 6-6,- Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, let the numeral 1 designate the envelop,

which is open at the top end and provided with small spacing lugs or projectors 2, on one side th roof, the opposite side of the envelop having a plain surface, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, the said envelop as shown, constituting an integral structure. A battery plate 3 is placed in the envelop 1, with its connecting lug 4 projecting out of the envelop. The separating -lugs 2. (see Fig. 1) form a straight row at thev outer sides and ends of the envelop, the object being to bring thegreater part of the pressure between the plates on the outer frame of the grid, instead of; on the center portion of the plates. At the top of the envelop, however, the lugs 2 are located just below the top of the plate, which will be more fully explained hereinafter. At the top of the envelop are located two projections 5, which are substantially hooked shaped, and which are adepted to hold downiin place a cap 6, as shown in Fig. 1, which capY'is adapted to be placed upon the upper end ofthe envelop and plate as is best illustrated in Fig. 2. The cap is provided with openings 7 which are adapted to be engaged by the projections 5, wh1ch extend through the openings 7, and hold the cap 6 firmly in place. The hooks 5 and openings 7 are likewise positioned on the opposite side of the cap and envelop. The purpose of this cap is to ti'ghtly seal the battery plate within the envelop, thereby preventing any particles of active material upon the plate sealed in the envelop, from passing out at the top end of the envelop into the electrolyte. i

Fig. 2 is'a sectional view of thocap, onbest illustrating the convelop and plate,

struction of the cap and its cooperation and combination with the envelop and plate.

The cap 6 has a hollow extension 8,,

through which the connecting h1g4 of the plate passes when the cap 6 is n position upon the envelop, asillustratedrn Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The cap 6 is provided with a solid inner. integral depending portion? which when the cap is in position, extends into the upper end of the envelop, but does not abut against the top of the plate. This construction is important inasmuch as the positive plate sometimes increases its length, and the space 10, between the top of the plate and the depending portion 9 takes care of the expansion and prevents the cap from being forced off. The said part 9. fits closely within the openend of theenvelop, thus hold ur envelop (see igs. 2 and 3). The apertures '7 are ormed in the flange 1. The cap 6 conducting may be made iof any suitable l[non material, which has some e ity' such as celluloid ore/hard rubber, which will allow asti the two sidei flanges 11 to spring sufliciently.

, to permit them to pass over the hooks and then spring back in place tightly against the envelop as shown in Fig. 3

By reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that one end of the depending member 9 is formed with an opening 12, which is continued through the extension 8, to receive the connecting lug 4 oftlie plate, which is of less width than the plates'. -.A space 13 is left between the depending members 9, and the outside flanges 11 of the caps, which receives the upper end of the enveldps, and the opening 12 closely surrounds the connecting lug 4.

Fig. 4 shows five envelops with the plates and caps 6 omitted. It is customary to use an odd number of plates in a battery cell, the two outer plates bein negative. In this view he arrangement 0 the envelops with respedt to each other as they appear in a fully equipped cell is shown. It is not necessary to have protecting separator spacing lugs'2 on the outside of the outer envelo s, because they are not needed between to envelop and the cell jar; therefore in the present construction, I employ one envelop with plain sides in each cell, the separating producing a scale depending portion 9 and the outer flange 11.

lugs 2 being omitted.

As shown inFi 1, the spacing lugs 2 are irregularly positioned, which affords a bette circulation of electrolytebetween the p ates inclosed in the envelops. The top row of the p'ro'ections 2, are arranged below the upper edge of the inclosed plate, thereby allowmg the outer flange 11 of the cap to pass below the up er end of the plate, thus g union between the solid The ti ht joint thus formed between the cap and envelop, prevents an particles of disintegrated active material rom the positive plates sealed within the envelop), from passing out of the same. It will e seen that'the u per end of the opening 12 is above the acid evel of the electrolyte in the cell and the upper end of the extension 8 is up against the usual connecting .strap which connects in the usual manner all of the positive and negative plates together in their 'lespective groups, thus preventing the only p0 his escape of saidmaterial at the openmg, 2 of the cap 6, which surrounds the plate connection'lug 4, and which is left unsealed for the free escape ,"of gas from the inclosed plate. Therefore} the end of the extension 8, being above the acid level, no particles of disintegrated active material can escape with the usual gasing of the inclosed plates.

Numerous attempts have been made heretofore to provide an envelop or other means which will permanently retain the active material of the plates in lead storage batteries in place, and in close contact with the grid, but such attempts'have not so far been a practical success, but the envelop and sealing cap herein described meets all of the requirements wherein othe constructions have failed.

This envelop is used on both positive and negative plates, and both can be sealed within the said envelops if desired, but it is only necessary to seal up the positive plates. The negative plates should have their outer supporting grid frame thoroughly insulated and protected from the electrolyte to prevent the enlarging condition of the said grid commonly called moss grown negatives, which condition makes an unnecessary expense during the life of lead storage batteries, by causing short circuits, and in removing same, when the usual form of open edgewood separators are used. While I have described the lugs as being on one side of the envelops only, I mav also if desired, form the envelops with the lugs on both sides,-as shown in Fig. 3, in which case the negative plate envelops would be omitted.

In the manufacture of the improved scparator, I preferably employ chemically pure asbestos, in connection with a suitable binder, the materials being molded under pressure into envelopsas hereinbefore'described, of any desired size.

The envelo above described, is not only thoroughly e ective in operation, but gives a much longer life and mileage to the battery. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is;

1. In storage battery separator construc ing lugs on one side, and a cap of similar material, which surrounds the said open end,-a dependin member in said cap which 3.

fits closely within the said open end iavin an opening adjacent one of its ends whic extends out through the cap, and means for locking the envelop and cap tog ther.

'3. In storage battery separa or construe tion, the combination with a battery plate having a pro eet1ng connecting lug, of an envelop of non-conducting absorbent material for said plate. which is open at its up per end and provided with internal projections on one side thereof, a cap adapted to surround the said open end of the envelop having a depending member which fits closely within the said open end and ,ivhich is provided with an opening which closely surrounds the said connecting lug and locli ing means for securing the cap upon theeir velop.

4-. In storage battery separator coi'istrurtion, the con'ibination of a noieperforated absorbent envelop, open at one end and having integral projecting lugs on one side thereof, and a flanged ca p therefor, having a vertical extension at one end and an inner depending member spaced on all sides from the flange portion of the cap and having an opening which passes through the said extension. the flange portion of said cap being adapted to surround the open end of the en" velop and the depending member to fit. closely vvithin the said open end, and locking means for sailing the envelop and cap together.

5. In storage battery separator construction, the combination of an envelop of nonconducting, absorbent material, open at one end and provided on one side with integralv sparing lugs. and catches adjacent its open end, and a cap of similar materia therefor, having a depending flange portion, and an inner depending member spaced on all sides from the flange portion. a vertical extension on one end of the cap having an opening which extends through the said depending member, the flange portion of said cap being adapted to inclose the openend of the envelop, the said depending member fitting clo'sely therein. the said flange portion ha ving apertures into which the said catches spring, and thereby lock the cap securely to the envelop.

6. In storage battery separator construction, the combination of an envelo of nonconducting, absorbent material, having on one side thereof projecting lugs arranged close together along the side and bottom edges and at greater intervals over the re maining surface. and catches adjacent its open end and on both sides, and a cap for said envelop, having a depending flange portion. an inner depending solid member spaced all around from the flange portion, a vertical extension at one end having an opening extend ng down through the solid depending member, and apertures in the flange portion; said cap being adapted to surround the open end oi the envelop With' its depending member fitting closely Within the said open end, the catches on said open end being adapted to sprin into the z'ipertures in the flange portion 0 said cap and securely hold the same upon the said envelop.

'7. in storage battery separator construction, the combination with a battery plate, haiingr a connecting lug, of an envelop therefor of noireonducting absorbent material open at its upper end, and a cap for said enielop coiu ia'ising a flange portion adapt/ed to surr und the open end of the envelop, an inner solid depending member adapted to extend into the same, a vertical extension having an opening therein which extends down through the said depending nirml' er and surrounds the said connecting log oi the plate. and means for locking the cap to the envelop.

in storage battery separator construction, the ombination with an envelop of suitable material open at one end and having ratchea adjacentto said open end, of a cap having a depending flange which surro: ids the said open end having apertures \vhirh are engaged by said catches, thereby to secure the cap upon the envelop and an opening in said cap at one end.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JASPER N. DAVIS.

'itnesses MARY E. I).A\'IS, Ina L. I)A\'IS. 

